My work has led me to many places and Vishakhapatnam is one of them. This lovely city is known for its beautiful landscapes and stretched coast line. Within its enormous coast line you are bound to see the Cost Guards and the ampleness of the Indian Navy everywhere. One of the distinguished sites while travelling on the beach road is the 4th Indian Submarine, the INS Kursura. It has been converted into a museum and is open to all. Placed on the shores of the Ramakrishna Beach, this submarine boasts of being the 1st submarine museum in South Asia and the only one in India.
Kursura has the distinction of being one of the very few submarine museums to retain originality. She has become a famous tourist attraction of the city and is one of the most visited places at Visakhapatnam. The daily visitors can go close to 1000 on any ordinary day.
Karsura is a Russian built submarine and since May 1970 it was being used by the Indian Navy. After a glorious service of 31 years, she was decommissioned during Feb 2001 and was converted into a museum. She still receives the Indian Navy dressing ship honour, a title awarded to only active ships. The submarine is one of the first generation submarines of the Indian Navy and played a crucial role in the Indo-Pak War in 1971, and this is the reason why the Indian Navy continued the status of “Dressing Ship” to it.
While visiting this museum I strongly felt a sense of pride for our submariners. I have few friends who are very claustrophobic and they avoid closed places like lifts, caves and any place that gives them a feeling of restlessness. Being inside the museum for 20 minutes I started wondering the amount of dedication and strength required for an individual to become part of this great profession. I saw the sleeping places, the dining units and the working areas. Gosh, a salute to the soldiers who had been there and who are part of this daring job.
This visit was a great experience and a feeling of pride for our armed forces. So when are you travelling here to experience this wonder.
Be a Traveler!
bhubanpatra 